SHAH ALAM – Nearly half a year after the massive flash floods that devastated Taman Sri Muda and surrounding areas here, affected residents are far from returning to their regular lives.
Resentment and despair were tangible among residents gathered to discuss raising their grievances to a higher level by partaking in a class action suit seeking to hold the government accountable for their handling of the disaster.
One such victim is Sundram, 54, whose family has been relying on the sympathy of relatives willing to offer them a roof over their heads, since their house is in an inhabitable condition as renovation works are not done.
Lamenting how rescue efforts by authorities were far from adequate, he said the delayed response from first responders caused his family, along with many others, to be stranded in their inundated homes for an extended period.
We had little to no food with us for up to four days before a fire department team came to take us to a flood evacuation centre,” he said, recalling how he had no choice but to use water from a toilet bowl to cook some instant noodles for his nephew.
“My nephew could not understand what was happening, but he was hungry, and that was all we had to feed him.”
Housing seven people, including his mentally and physically disabled nephew who requires assistance for most basic functions, the ground level of the two-storey home on Jalan Sempurna was inundated quickly during the downpour in December.
“When the water level started to rise past our ankles, I tried to save some of our belongings by moving them to higher ground but the rain didn’t stop.
The water rose even higher until everything we owned was floating in the water. Soon, water levels nearly reached the ceiling,” he said, showing The Vibes areas of the house with water marks and persistent leaks.
He has since forked out about RM100,000 to restore his home to a shadow of its former glory.
Harrowing experience
Single mother Sarinderjit, 51, was put through a similarly harrowing experience that has left a lasting mark on her.
“During the floods, the current in the water was very strong, and I felt like I could drown at any moment. I had to be careful where I stepped, because I could not tell if there was a drain below my feet that I might fall into.
“The trauma is still very much a part of my life now,” she said, adding that she and her 16-year-old daughter had only managed to escape their flooded home in Taman Ixora thanks to a family member who had arranged for someone with a boat to come rescue them.
Besides that, she said she has had to take several loans to cope with the cost of home repairs as well as replace electrical appliances and furniture that were lost.
I received RM2,500 aid from the government, but it was not enough, since basic car repairs cost more than RM15,000.”
She added that while her daughter had managed to save the laptop she uses for online classes, much of the school books and materials were swept away.
Zainuddin, 50, whose home is right behind Sundram’s, had similar damages. He opted to continue staying in his house while repair works are ongoing.
Showing The Vibes around, stacks of framed family photographs are stored away haphazardly, while building materials and renovation equipment are clustered at the front of the house.
“I haven’t had time to clean up much since I’ve been busy with my job,” he said, adding that when his family could not leave their home because of the floods, help came from non-government organisations.
He said the family had lost about RM15,000 worth of electrical appliances, including a fridge and a television.
Klang MP mulling suit against government
Klang MP Charles Santiago met with the residents at Sundram’s house, where residents were consulted on the possible suit against the government.
Santiago told The Vibes that while discussions are still underway with lawyer Gurdial Singh Nijar to determine the details of the suit such as who will be named defendants, the case will mainly be seeking for appropriate compensation for flood victims.
The underlying point of the suit is to push the relevant authorities to do proper drainage and irrigation works.”
At present, more than 110 people from Klang and Taman Sri Muda have expressed their interest in being part of the suit by filling in forms issued by the law firm involved.
The flood that devastated major parts of the west coast last December killed more than two dozen people, most of them Shah Alam residents.
Many Malaysians took to social media to condemn the government for its lackadaisical and slow response to the disaster, with volunteers seen to be acting more efficiently during the early stages of the rescue operations. – The Vibes, May 14, 2022
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